Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-19
Competition Permitted.
fcourIer- Journal Aprl 7th.l ]


The propositions submitted by the
Southern railroads 10 the National
Commission, involves the points in
dispute between the Eastern trunk
lines and their Western connections.
The trunk line managers are insist
ing on the most rigid Interpretation
of the law, and are seeking to enforce
this interpretation on all the roads of
the country regardless of the local in
terests involved, as well as of the
widely varying circumstances and
conditions. II has been suggested
that the purpose of the Eastern man
ayers Is TO make the law obnoxious,
but ONO need not s5afJiii fol hidden
motives in this case; the plain truth
is that the rigid enforcement of the
law In its prohibition of competitive
rates for thrt ugh business exactly ac-
cords with the interests of railroads
where passenger traffic Is large and
competition on local traffic is severe.
The Eastern'lines have insisted that
their Western and Southern connec-
tions rearrapge their schedules in ac-
cordance with the Eastern view, and
when these connections have refused
to adopt the Eastern Interpretation as
authoritative and conclusive, the
Eastern lines have in effect boycotted
those OF the West and South.
This IA truly serious complication.
The Southern roads applied TO the
Commission for relief, and for the
time being it has been granted. That
is. the railroads of the South have
been authorized to continue In force
the schedules prevailing April l, un-
iii the Commission can investigate
fully the points at issue.
This ruling is not final, though 1t
is of Importance. Its value lies chief
ly in the fact that 1t shows the Conn
mission to be composed of careful
and cautious men, who are not TO be
hurried into mistakes. The latitude
given them under the law Is wide /;
the responsibility imposed is very
grave. The power conferred is, ,s
the Courier-Journal has heretofore
declare I, greater than should be Civ n
to any commission, however cons i-
tuted. But the character of the Com
mission has somewhat reassured the
public, and this first ruling proves
that the Commissioner appreciate
the serious nature Of their duties, and
that they will aim to make the law
conform as far as possible 10 the bus
mess necessities of each section of the
country. In other words, instead of
accepting the view suggested by the
trunk.line managers, and which in
two weeks has done much to arouse
widespread opposition to the law,
they propose TO see for themselves
how the law can be applied without
snbjeciing any section to particular
hardships, or bringing the law into
distayor.
This ruling does not remove the
fundamental objections the Courier
Journal has urged against the meas
ure. The act is a blow at competition ;
liz Is blind attempt TO chain the pow
err of great economic laws. Ii is an
application to internal commerce OF
the principles Of restriction which
are embodied in the tariff, aud we
believe that in time the people them.
selves win recognize these facts.
Nevertheless the rulings of the
Commission in the FIRST case present
ed show the law is to have a fair
chance; that all business interests are
to have a candid hearing, and that no
evils are to be precipitated on the
country by ill-considered action. For
time at least competition by rail-
roads with water routes in the South
Is not forbidden.